Ok guys, I'm sure you've heard this a bunch of times, but I really couldn't find anything in my search. I have an 01 f-150 reg. cab LB 4.2 v6 4 spd w/ OD manual transmission. It has 54,000 miles on it. I live in Northern NJ, so we have a range of temps going from 90's in the summer to 0 in the winter. I commute to school a few times a week, which is about 55 miles one way, and I also go to work which is about 20 miles one way. I'm wondering which oil is the best for my truck. I'm really new to this, but I want to start changing my own oil, any help would be greatly appreciated. I've also read on here about oil filters. Any advice on those? And where do they go? Thanks.
-Dan

 

I don't have the knowledge to say what's best, but I will tell you what I've had good luck with - Mobil 1 and a Motorcraft filter, changed at 5000 mile intervals.

 

You cannot go wrong by following the factory service recommendaions.

Go to www.motorcraft.com to look up the lastest recommendations which may have been updated since your owner's manual was printed.

Steve

 

I'd run Maxlife and a Wix filter.

 

Motorcraft FL820s and Motorcraft 5w30.

 

I think before anybody can tell you what oil and filter to run we need to know how many miles you want to run in between oil changes. 3K, 5K, 10K .............

 

Ditto, unless youre going to extend oil changes past 5k miles, in which case I would recommend Mobil Clean 7500 (semi-syn.) or M1 Extended Performance (full-syn.) Stick with the Motorcraft filter. They are good, cheap & readily available.

 

Ok, so it seems like Motorcraft filter is pretty popular. That's fine. Now, I understand that when an oil says "5w30" it refers to the viscocsity, but what does it exactly mean? Like what is the difference between a 5w30 and a 10w30 and a 10w60? And what are the pros/cons to the different grades ( I guess you could call them that, right?)? Also, are all 5w30's pretty much the same? Or are there differenct characteristics for each?

I really don't care how long I go between changes. 3k, 5k doesn't matter all that much to me anyway. I think 10k is pushing it though. Maybe I'm old-fashioned. Again, I realize these questions are painfully simple for a lot of you, and thanks for helping me out.
-Dan

 

Dan, try this link, it'll give you an easy to read, basic over view on lubes.

The oil chart parameter data is a little out dated, but you can up date it's numbers by going to the lubricant mfgrs your iterested in, web site & plugging in any new numbers they may have posted on their product.

Post any additional questions you may have & we'll try to clarify.

http://www.micapeak.com/info/oiled.html

 

that engine specs 5w20 oil not 5w30.